San Jose State vs. Southern Utah: Getting To Know The Thunderbirds
Who is SJSU playing this week 0
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Spartans host Thunderbirds
San Jose State is hoping to replicate its 2020 season and it starts off with a game against Southern Utah at home as they look to build upon last year’s success which was their best season as a member of the Mountain West and arguably their best season ever.
This matchup against SUU is one that the Spartans should win this game but never say never about upsets in college football as they do happen even at the FCS vs. FBS.
With info on FCS teams is not as readily available, we reached out to get to sports reporter Chris Kwiecinski of The Spectrum to know more about Southern Utah University.
1. Southern Utah went 1-5 last year, is there a lot of motivation to just get back ut on the field and play games to move on from the spring season and start new?
There’s nothing but motivation for this team to get back and prove it’s a talented team. SUU went 1-5 last year and lost each of its five games by one possession, and four of those five losses came were by a combined total of eight points. The T-Birds don’t want to start new, they have talent, they just need to get over the hump and close out games. They’re highly motivated to prove they can do that this fall.
2. La’akea Kaho’ohanohano-Davis looks to be the star of this defense and one of the best at the FCS level, what role can he provide in slowing down this San Jose State offense?
IT'S GAME WEEK!!!
Thunderbird football is back this Saturday on @CBSSportsNet. Here's everything you need to know about our showdown at @SanJoseStateFB ⬇️
📰 https://t.co/Opts0XLB2R#StormTheSky x #11United pic.twitter.com/AFS9gofgUi
— SUU Thunderbirds ⚡️ (@SUUThunderbirds) August 23, 2021
La’akea is a multi-faceted player. He can do it all. Look for him to thrive in passing situations on third downs, as his combination of speed and strength allows him to rush the passer in a myriad of ways from the linebacker spot. He was a defensive back before moving to linebacker, so he knows how to cover, too. Plus, he’s a great special teams player; he blocked a punt for a touchdown against Weber State.
Names to watch on offense are quarterback Justin Miller, he knows how to take care of the football and is efficient in the short to intermediate passing game, running back Thomas Duckett, he’s a good runner who also factors into the pass game, lineman Braxton Jones, SUU’s NFL prospect on the offensive line, and receiver JR Waters, a transfer from Oregon who brings the ability to take the top off the defense with his speed.
The goal for SUU is simple in this game: play clean football and finish each play. Coach Demario Warren knows the odds are slim in this game, but he also knows it’s a good test against a good FBS opponent. If they play clean and don’t give up on simple plays, he’ll live with the result.
I can see SUU sticking with San Jose for a while, as the T-Birds have experience across the board on defense and have a solid offensive scheme. But, SJSU will eventually pull away as the better team.
